As Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ Turns 30, It’s Embraced By A New Generation

Cyndi Lauper‘s signature hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” turns 30 this year. Originally written in 1979 by Robert Hazard, Lauper released the track on September 6, 1983, and it soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A frequent contender at karaoke, and anthem for girls everywhere, the song received two GRAMMY nominations for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1985 and was ranked by Rolling Stone and MTV as, respectively, one of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs and the 100 Top Music Videos of all time. The video features her mother alongside pro wrestling manager Lou Albano as her father.

An ’80s anthem, the song has survived the test of time. Most recently, 10-year-old viral sweetheart Sophia Grace released her debut music video, which is an ode of sorts to the song. Called “Girls Just Gotta Have Fun,” Grace mimics Lauper’s music video dance party. Donning a tiara and shades, the clip shows just why Lauper’s original sentiment has survived 30 years. Grace is known for her cover of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass,” which went viral based on both its adorableness and speed back in 2011. Since then, Ellen DeGeneres has brought the youngster on her show, where she’s frequently performed and even met Minaj.